A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Periparturient mares are at increased risk of colic including large colon volvulus, which has a high mortality rate. Alterations in colonic microbiota related to either physiological or management changes, or both, that occur at this time have been suggested as potential causes for increased colic risk in this population of horses. Although the effect of management changes on the horse faecal microbiota has been investigated, limited work has been conducted to investigate changes in faecal microbiota structure and function in the periparturient period. The objectives of the current study were to investigate temporal stability of the faecal microbiota and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the faecal metabolome in periparturient mares.

Methods

Faecal samples were

SUBMITTER: Salem SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6451438 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature